The famed Malecón boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta is undoubtedly the center of the top Mexican beach destination’s down-town district. This stunning sea wall and promenade is a mile long and protects the shops, bars and restaurants of down-town Puerto Vallarta from the beautiful forces of nature and erosion. The Malecón provides a scenic walk for tourists and locals alike and offers easy access to the amenities in the area.
Tourists that come to Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding destinations such as Nuevo Vallarta, Punta Mita and Bucerias, should definitely put a visit to the Malecón on their to do list as the numerous shops, bars, nightclubs and restaurants there are wonderfully placed to offer a stunning views of the Pacific sunset. Why not have dinner in one of the restaurants and enjoy the sun setting in the arms of Banderas Bay while you eat?
The Malecón has recently been pedestrianized so that visitors can meander among palm trees, bugambilia and tropical plants with strollers, wheelchairs and even rollerblades! If you look to the ground you will see embedded artwork in honor of the indigenous tribes of the are, depicting sacred Huichol symbols. These symbols are generally animals, representations of nature and the cosmos. The pebble-work is truly beautiful and has been done with skill and attention to detail.
Along the course of the Malecón you can enjoy various works of art by local Mexican artists and can opt to take a tour with an English speaking guide if you wish to learn more about the art in Jalisco and the Riviera Nayarit. The tour can be organized at Galeria Pacifico.
There is also an outdoor amphitheatre with daily performances near the plaza and Our Lady of Guadalupe church. At night this area comes alive with artisans, street performers and merchants.
As you continue further towards the Old Town you’ll come across a brand new pier from which you can take ferry trips to some of the idyllic beaches of Puerto Vallarta that can only be reached by boat.
If you visit Puerto Vallarta, be sure to see the Malecón, you won’t be disappointed.
